You may look upon some providences once and again, and see little or nothing in them, but look "seven times," that is, meditate often upon them, and you will see their increasing glory, like that increasing cloud (1 Kings 18:44).
Interpretation
Reflecting deeply on experiences can reveal profound insights over time.
John Flavel's quote emphasizes the importance of meditation and reflection in understanding life's experiences. Initially, certain events may seem insignificant, but through persistent contemplation, their true value or beauty can emerge, akin to an increasing cloud that hints at a forthcoming rain, symbolizing abundance and revelation. This process of looking deeper can lead to a richer comprehension of one's circumstances and the world.
In practice
During a speech about personal growth, I could quote Flavel to highlight the importance of reflection.
All the tears of a penitent sinner, should he shed as many as there have fallen drops of rain, since the creation, to this day, cannot wash away one sin. The everLasting burnings in hell, cannot purify the flaming conscience, from the least sin.
All the dark, intricate, puzzling providences at which we were sometimes so offended...we shall [one day] see to be to us, as the difficult passage through the wilderness was to Israel, "the right way to the city of habitation".
Providence is like a curious piece of tapestry made of a thousand shreds, which, single, appear useless, but put together, they represent a beautiful history to the eye.
The carnal person fears man, not God. The strong Christian fears God, not man. The weak Christian fears man too much, and God too little.
Whatsoever we have over-loved, idolized, and leaned upon, God has from time to time broken it, and made us to see the vanity of it; so that we find the readiest course to be rid of our comforts is to set our hearts inordinately upon them.
It is the duty of the saints, especially in times of straights, to reflect upon the performances of Providence for them in all the states and through all the stages of their lives.
You don't meditate once and suddenly your life turns around. What it does is it lets you train your brain to be able to become more stable in an action-oriented way.
A realized one sends out waves of spiritual influence in his aura, which draw many people towards him. Yet he may sit in a cave and maintain complete silence.
Our degeneration, when it is traced back to its origin in our view of the world really consists in the fact that true optimism has vanished unperceived from our midst.
We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.
He who replies to words of doubt doth put the light of knowledge out.
Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being
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